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3. Problems After Installation

3.1 How do I enable sound in AfterStep?

First, make sure you have compiled the Linux kernel with sound support and that the sound works ; try :

cat [some au file] > /dev/audio

Then, edit ~/GNUstep/Library/AfterStep/audio file. You should see (if you don't, add them) lines like these:

         *AudioPlayCmd /usr/bin/showaudio
         *AudioDir /usr/X11/lib/X11/afterstep/sounds
         *AudioDelay 1

If these aren't there, add them. Verify that the AudioPlayCmd is a valid program and that the sounds you want to play are in /usr/share/afterstep/desktop/sounds/ (or set it to the appropriate directory).

Below that section, you sould see many lines like this:

         #*Audio startup gong.au

Simply remove the comment (#) from the beginning of the line and if you wish, set the startup event to some other au file. The format is:

       Audio [event] [sound]

Do that for the rest of the Audio events, and as one AfterStepper put it, you'll literally add new bells and whistles to AfterStep.

Note that some people still have a few problems with audio. The Audio module is apparently broken in some versions, but nobody seems to know why. You should make sure you have the latest verion of AfterStep before asking why your Audio module does not work: all current verions seem to be functioning correctly. If you are still having trouble, and you've read this and followed the instructions carefully, you might want to ask questions on the mailing list.

You should also be aware that the configuration of the Audio module has undergone some changes. So, if you've changed your version of AfterStep, and Audio is suddenly not working for you, check that you removed your old configuration before asking what is wrong.

Finally, if you are getting errors complaining about an incorrect path, check your base.{yourbppnumber}bpp file. The AudioPath used to be set in the base file, but it is now set in the configuration file for the Audio module. This change affects versions since 1.4.5.0; but 1.4.5.0 was accidentally released with the AudioPath configured in the base file. Fix the definition, and the problem will go away.

3.2 I don't want so many desktops in version 1.4.x or later; I want to change feature xyz in version 1.4.x or later.

Just edit the relevant file under ~/GNUstep/Library/AfterStep. See the section on configuration for details.

3.3 The desktop is bigger than my pager indicates.

This is/was a known bug. The problem is that the pager is at least three screens in at least one dimension. There have been reports of getting the pager to work correctly if the desktop size is set to 3X3 or 3X2.

Albert Dorofeev (albert@mail.dma.be) reports that the following changes to src/functions.c will fix the problem in AfterStep 1.4; I do not know whether these will work for other versions. In src/functions.c, change the lines



if (newx > Scr.VxMax)
        newx = Scr.VxMax;
    if (newy > Scr.VyMax)
        newy = Scr.VyMax;

to



if (newx >= (Scr.VxMax - Scr.MyDisplayWidth) )
        newx = Scr.VxMax - Scr.MyDisplayWidth;
    if (newy >= (Scr.VyMax - Scr.MyDisplayHeight) )
        newy = Scr.VyMax - Scr.MyDisplayHeight;

This change apparently leaves a bug whereby the mouse pointer "jumps" on the right-hand border; but at least your pager will correspond to the desktop.

The bug is fixed as of AfterStep 1.4.5.x, so if it really annoys you, please upgrade. In the 1.4.5 series, the virtual desktop is set up in the base.{yourbppnumber}bpp file, and not the pager configuration file. Please edit the correct file according to your configuration.

3.4 I'm running Solaris, and have had problems with the alphasort() function.

There are ever-fewer problems with AfterStep and Solaris; this one has been patched in version 1.4.4 and later. You can find the patch in the mailing-list archives, or you can simply upgrade to the latest version. In any case, you should check the information in the README.Solaris file, and see the following site: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/software/imake-stuff/.

3.5 I reduced the number of buttons in my titlebars, and now AS crashes.

You need to edit your feel file, as well. Look at the section on looks and feels.


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